The Healthy Darling

How to Live Forever – an Actual Fountain of Youth?!

By Healthy Darling · Comments (8) · June 27th, 2013

Hi everyone! Apologies for my blog silence of late. I’ve had an interesting two months that have kept me off-line, but I am finally getting back into the swing of things. Something I haven’t shared on the Darling sites is that for the last two years, I’ve been working for a hedge fund that invests in health care. All of our research analysts are still practicing physicians, since they love what they do. It’s incredibly rewarding to work with such a great team, see investments that give people better lives, and learn new things about the world everyday. One of the biggest projects that I’m working on with Joon (our president), is an initiative to reverse aging and disease all together. This idea may sound bold and seemingly crazy, but if you just hear Joon out here, you will see that the potential could really exist. I’m excited to finally introduce you to Dr. Joon Yun with this lecture that he recently gave at the Circus Club in Atherton. It’s twenty minutes long, so settle in….

Stay tuned for Dr. Joon Yun’s website where you can learn about the Palo Alto Prize we’re creating to end aging as we know it!

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Sodium Lauryl Sulfate: The Most Dangerous Ingredient in you Skin Care Products

By Healthy Darling · Comments (20) · May 2nd, 2013

The other week I directed you to the Skin Deep Cosmetic Database to inform you of the toxic ingredients in your skin care products. If you were to try to avoid only one ingredient though, it should be Sodium Lauryl Sulfate and Sodium Laureth Suflate. Acording to Dr. Frank Lipman these chemicals can combine to cause a deadly class of carcinogen. In addition to being in all our soaps, shampoos, and toothpastes, SLS is also used to clean engines, garage floors, and car washes- you don’t say!

In addition to a deadly carcinogen, SLS are known to cause eye damage, depression, diarrhea, and other ailments (2,935 reports in the Toxicology Data Network here).

YIKES! With SLS being the premiere foaming agent in all our hygiene products, what’s a well groomed citizen to do!? Fear not, brands are catching on to the SLS-Free trend and making new products accordingly. Below are my favorite, 5-heart items and solutions.

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Do Antibiotics Cause Obesity? Yet Another Reason to Buy Organic!

By Healthy Darling · Comments (10) · April 24th, 2013

According to The Week: “New York University researches analyzed the medical records of 11,500 young children and found that those who had received antibiotics before they were 6 months old were 22 percent more likely to be overweight by age 3 than those who hadn’t. The researcher also found that mice given antibiotics put on up to 15 percent more body fat than those who weren’t, and that the types of bacteria flourishing in their guts changed. Scientists are just beginning to understand how our gut bacteria affect our digestion, immune system, and even mental health.”

This article by Science Mag states that “Farmers have long used antibiotics to make cows, pigs, and turkeys gain weight faster. Now, scientists claim that receiving antibiotics early in life may also make children grow fat”- Eeg, yet another reason to buy Organic meats!!!

((Sigh))- as always, the safest strategy is to consume real food in its most natural state, free of growth hormones, chemicals, GMOs, pesticides, antibiotics etc. While I’m a huge proponent of science and modern medicine (it saved my brain!) our nation’s health has declined too rapidly in this proliferating landscape of processed junk for me to trust any food that’s not natural.

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Can You Eat Stress?

By Healthy Darling · Comments (1) · April 11th, 2013

You’ve heard many reasons for why you should eat fresh and natural whole foods, but this article in Edible Silicon Valley illuminates a whole other level as to why. In it, Dr. Joon Yun convincingly argues that food can cary stress markers of its life: this stress can then be absorbed and read by your body, thereby making you stressed. Additionally, stress is no small thing to brush aside. Indeed, it is the one factor that heart disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression, inflammation and obesity all have in common.

Think vegetables can’t be stressed? Turns out even vegetables have a stress hormone they release called ethylene. It is best to eat organic, seasonal, locally raised vegetables that have not been bruised, frozen, ripened or genetically modified. I’m not sure how this bodes for the juicing trend (just think of the ethylene in those blenders!), but it’s an incredibly interesting concept. No wonder food nurtures when it’s “made with love.” Perhaps someday we’ll be able to read the stress levels of food on the back of the labels, much like we see the fat and calorie content!

Click here to read the complete article by Dr. Yun and see the great info chart on what to eat and what to avoid.

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Spotlight on My Favorite Sunscreen LA ROCHE-POSAY

By Healthy Darling · Comments (7) · April 4th, 2013

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Since I have extraordinarily sensitive skin, it took me years to finally try tinted SPF 50 by LA ROCHE -POSAY. I got turned onto this magical fluid by my beautiful friend, Josie Davis, who seriously looks like she stepped out of glossy magazine every time I see her. Flawless. And literally every time I see her I beg for her skin secret. The answer is always LA ROCHE-POSAY. I finally dared to try the very pink and liquid SPF for myself. OHMYGOD! It’s amazing!!! Not only does it not make me break out (cue the choir), but also, it makes me glow.. and not look greasy! No no, I’m super anti-shine. In fact, I think the most common phrase my friends have heard me utter over the years are (sotto voce) “am I shiny? Do I need to powder?” Truly, I am so grateful to finally find a product that balances everything I need from a high voltage sunblock. Thank you for the rec, Josie!!

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To learn more about La Roche-Posay (I know, it’s a totally annoying and forgettable name), click here.

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Taking Folic Acid Before Pregnancy May Prevent Autism

By Healthy Darling · Comments (1) · March 28th, 2013

According to a study of more than 85,000 women in Norway (that’s a big study!), those who took Folic Acid before getting pregnant were 40% less likely to have their child develop Autism. While Folic Acid is a B vitamin that can be found naturally in rich leafy greens, black-eyed peas, and rice, it’s recommended that women take a prenatal pill at least up to four weeks before getting pregnant (ideally 2-3 months before). Additionally, she should stay on her prenatal pills throughout pregnancy. To see the full recap of this story on NPR, click here.

Despite public health campaigns urging women in the U.S. to take folic acid, many are still not taking the supplements when they become pregnant. (from NPR)

My thoughts? If you’re a sexually active female who’s not on the birth control pill, just take Prenatals! I would suggest going Organic since it seems counterproductive to take a vitamin with artificial dyes and crappy ingredients. I’ve heard wonderful things about NewChapter Organics, which you can buy online or find in Whole Foods.

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The Health Benefits of Coconut Oil

By Healthy Darling · Comments (1) · March 21st, 2013

This week I tweeted that my dog and I share a spoonful of coconut oil everyday (I go first). It’s our special little thing that we look forward to (though, I don’t flip in circles quite like Charlie does). Naturally, the next question was “Why” do we eat this said here Organic Coconut Oil by the spoonful?

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Because we like it. Really, that’s what it boils down to. Charlie had flees last summer so a friend recommended Coconut Oil to help calm the inflammation and strengthen his fur. While we didn’t notice a huge difference with coconut oil, spritzing Olive Oil on his food has made him silky soft. But I digress. Back to Coconut Oil. Yes, yes, I’d heard amazing things about this oil from having antibacterial properties to boosting metabolism. I noticed that it had a soothing effect on my throat when it was soar, I noticed that I didn’t blimp up from eating the extra fat, I noticed that it actually calmed down a blemish when I applied it topically, and again, I noticed that I liked it. Yum. But this is a rather unintellectual response, so why don’t I site what the good Dr. Oz has to say about Coconut Oil?

According to Dr. Oz: (source)

What are the health benefits of coconut oil?

Studies have show that intake of coconut oil can help our bodies mount resistance to both viruses and bacteria that can cause illness. Even more, it also can help to fight off yeast, fungus and candida.

Coconut oil can also positively affect our hormones for thyroid and blood sugar control. People who take coconut oil also tend to have improvements in how they handle blood sugar since coconut can help improve insulin use within the body. Coconut oil can boost thyroid function helping to increase metabolism, energy and endurance. It increases digestion and helps to absorb fat-soluble vitamins.

Can coconut oil reduce cholesterol?

Coconut oil has a saturated fat called lauric acid, a type of MCT. It has been shown that lauric acid increases the good HDL cholesterol in the blood to help improve cholesterol ratio levels. Coconut oil lowers cholesterol by promoting its conversion to pregnenolone, a molecule that is a precursor to many of the hormones our bodies need. Coconut can help restore normal thyroid function. When the thyroid does not function optimally, it can contribute to higher levels of bad cholesterol.

How does coconut help keep weight balanced?

Coconut fats have special fats called medium chain triglycerides (MCTs). It has been shown that breaking down these types of healthy fats in the liver leads to efficient burning of energy. One 2009 study found that women who consumed 30 milliliters (about 2 tablespoons) of coconut oil daily for 12 weeks not only did not gain more weight, but actually had lowered amounts of abdominal fat, a type of fat that is difficult to lose, and contributes to more heart problems.

Thanks Dr. Oz for the helpful information! I shall continue to enjoy my little treat with Charlie!

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Spotlight on Hugo’s Restaurants in Southern California

By Healthy Darling · Comments (1) · March 14th, 2013

5hearts

The more you read about food, the less edible choices there seem to be! Between Arsenic in Rice (see here), GMOs (see here), Growth Hormones in diary (see here), sky rocketing Gluten Problems (see here), Antibiotics in Chicken, toxins in Farmed Fish, Fecal Contamination in Pork (see here), etc and so one, it’s nearly impossible to dine out anymore! You can ask your server a bunch of annoying questions (like these here), or you can select a restaurant that cares as much about the quality of your food as you do. In comes Hugo’s Restaurant in Southern California. This fabulous restaurant has a strict GMO-Antibiotic-Growth Hormone- Free policy. Additionally, Hugo’s menu is coded by icon to help guide diners who are Gluten Free, Vegetarian, Vegan, and nut-free. WOW. Thank you Hugo’s for being so on top of it!!!

Gorgeous pic of Quinoa Beet Salad (photos by Lynn Chen)

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And my FAVORITE, their Gluten Free Mac & Cheese (made with Quinoa or Kelp Noodles).

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Oh, I dream of that dish!! My other favorite items include the Very Green Casserole and the Asian Stir Fry.

Thank you Lynn Chen of The Actor’s Diet for the introduction to Hugo’s!

To see more about Hugo’s Restaurant, click below to see:

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Acne Research BREAKTHROUGH! A New Solution for solving Acne

By Healthy Darling · Comments (3) · March 7th, 2013

You’ve heard of antibiotics to treat broken skin, but what about Probiotics? According to a recent report in the Journal of Investigative Dermatology, there are three strains of acne related bacteria on the skin; two strains that are linked to pimples, and a third strain that may combat acne. Scientists took pore strip samples from 101 participants, nearly half of whom had acne. Researches noticed that “the bacterial strains looked very different when taken from diseased skin, compared to healthy skin” (Noah Craft, MD, co-author of the study). One out of five volunteers with pimples had unique strains of acne causing bacteria that did not appear in clear-skinned participants. Additionally, people with healthy skin had a presence of a third bacteria that did not appear on broken skin. WOW! This discovery could lead to topical medications that are designed to balance the bacterial population on the skin (somewhat like how probiotics work for the gut). Ohmygosh, scientists- get on this.. Fast!

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For more info, see this article in NewsMaxHealth.com.

Above is an image of my friend, Nicole Taylor. She looks like that when she wakes up. I kinda wanna rub my face on hers now get some of that good bacteria!

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Battle of the Bars: Bar Method, Physique 57, Pop Physique, and Cardio Barre

By Healthy Darling · Comments (30) · February 21st, 2013

Oh Bar classes, how I love (and sometimes loathe) thee. You kick me in the ass but give me a great one doing it- Poetic justice, if you will. But the Bar Wars! So many classes and options to choose from! What is the difference?! I have attended all of the above classes and many, many times at that, so please allow me to explain the variation of these bar classes.

Bar Method

Fisher-Price my first bar class! Bar Method is the original bar class and while challenging at first, it is also totally manageable. Bar Method has a basic vocabulary of moves that target each key muscle group of your body. Right when the going gets tough, the song changes to something soothingly slow and it’s time to stretch that muscle group. This method of breaking in between muscle groups to stretch is awesome-sauce, if you ask me. It allows you to focus on the task at hand, knowing relief is on its way. Eventually though, the basic vocabulary of moves becomes repetitive and only the spunkiest teacher can keep you coming back for more. Bar Method is great for first-time Bar goers and those who really want to focus on their tuckus.

Physique 57

Physique 57 is like Bar Method on Crack. Physique retains the resistance training that Bar employs, while adding on a whole other layer of cardio that simply seems non-stop. In short, it’s a Mother Fucker. I’m sorry, but there really is no other way to describe a Physique class without dropping an F-bomb. I utter it at least once in every class. Even the teachers seem like they’re on crack as they smile throughout the hour with sadistic glee. I find this mirth infectious though and totally up my alley. This class is great if (a) you like to torture yourself and do it with a smile and (b) if you want to focus on your quads (where I usually feel the most the day after).

Pop Physique

If the porridge at Bar Method is too cold, and at Physique 57 it’s too hot, then at Pop Physique it’s just right. Pop Physique is a little more closely related to Bar Method, with distinguishable (yet fewer) stretching breaks in between muscle groups. They aim to play hip music that’s well timed with each muscle group. This class also wins out for me since it seems to best target my own personal weak spots, arms and abs. That said, the teachers are a less hands on and I’m not sure what I think about the wood floors (I can’t woop and yelp without it bouncing off the walls and making me sound like a crazy-lady!). Also, you’re expected to spray and wipe the matts after each class. I know, so lame of me that I find that annoying, but I do.

Cardio Barre

Ok to be fair, I hated this class so much the first time, that I never went back. So here’s my take on one class only.

unfriendly staff
nowhere to park
crappy ’70s music
no adjustments from the teacher
overcrowded class
all flailing cardio, no resistance… just swingin’ my arms around, not feeling a work out

BUT- I did spot the blonde from Garfunkel and Oates in my class and I think they’re totally hilarious. So that was a plus.

Do you take any of these bar classes?! What do you think!?

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